Archive for the 'Leadership' Category

I am 29-years-old. A millennial. An expert, or so I think sometimes. In fact, most of my younger friends are also experts. Experts in what you may ask?

Everything…sports, church, politics, and anything else that may come up. Often my own pride leads me to think that I know more than I do. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about my generation, it’s that we are in desperate need of one thing: discernment. Honestly, this lack of discernment goes beyond my generation. Many of us think we are experts. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about people, it’s that we’re all in need of discernment, regardless of our age.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Often, right and wrong is not so black and white. Sometimes, it is the difference between wisdom and putting our foot in our mouths. Some are gifted with discernment, most have to learn it. Discernment is knowing when to tweet and not to tweet. It is knowing when to open our mouths and when to keep them closed. It is understanding when to step out in faith and when not to be stupid.

James 1:19 gives us an excellent filter for our discernment. James writes, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Isn’t it interesting that the first thing he tells us to do is to listen? If I could paraphrase James’ words, I would say, “Dude, stop talking, don’t get angry so easily, just listen.” Often our lack of discernment comes when we refuse to listen and try to quickly get our opinion across because someone has ticked us off. Does your speech follow James’ train of thought? Better question: Does your social media follow this command of Scripture? May we all learn to discern.

I have a myriad of things on my heart to share with you as we begin this new week. I will be straight and to the point.

Leaving for Holy Land

This week, Jeana and I will be leading 39 of our people into a biblical, historical, and spiritual experience in the Holy Land, the land of Israel. Please know we work with the Discovery Worldwide Ministries and their office in Israel is assuring us that all is safe. While travel into a couple of areas is restrictive, our tour is not going into those places anyway. We will not be in Bethlehem or the Gaza Strip. Regardless, please pray for our safety.

Remember, on the day we enter in the Garden of Gethsemane, we will be praying by name for hundreds of you. Join us in intercession from the other side of the world.

We leave today, and will be returning on Wednesday, March 13. Until then, please know all is in great hands and the Cross Church Sunday worship experiences will be great!

Dr. Jeff Crawford is preaching Sunday

Dr. Jeff Crawford, our Teaching Pastor and President of our Cross Church School of Ministry will be preaching Sunday morning at our Springdale and Pinnacle Hills services. Dr. Crawford, Dr. Nick Floyd, Dr. Andy Goode, and Doug Sarver will all be preaching from Acts 2:41-47 at each of our campuses. In fact, we will be in this passage not only on March 10, but also March 17. Pray for all of these preachers of God’s Word!

This Sunday is Time Change Sunday . . . move your clocks forward!

Sunday, March 10 is time change Sunday, the one where you move your clocks FORWARD ONE HOUR on Saturday night before you go to bed.

Therefore, get ready for it and be wise! Plan to show up on time and fired up, supporting our leaders with all you have!

Passion Week, March 24th through March 31st will be dynamic!

Starting on Sunday, March 24, Cross Church will the marking the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ for eight consecutive days. Join us these eight days as we walk through the final days of Jesus’ life. I encourage you to attend as many of these events as possible – you will not regret it.

Here is a brief schedule of Passion Week events:

Sunday, March 24 – Worship services at each campus,“The Lord’s Supper: Remembering the Gospel of Jesus Christ” from Matthew 26:17-30

Monday, March 25 – Friday, March 29: Passion Week Luncheons at our Pinnacle Hills campus. Join us from 11:50 a.m.–12:50 p.m. for lunch, a time of worship, and a message that will highlight a key moment in the final week of Christ. Each day will hold a new message, so please attend as many as you can.

Thursday, March 28: “The Scourging of Christ and the Final Hours Before His Death”

Friday, March 29: “The Crucifixion and The Death of Jesus Christ”

Friday Night, March 29: “The Death and Burial of Jesus Christ.”This will be a powerful evening of music, worship, and reflection at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills with special guest music from the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

Saturday Night, March 30, and Sunday Morning, March 31: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ From The Dead” from Matthew 27:62-65; 28:1-15.

Make Christ FIRST in March!

I do hope that you will make March a month when the Lord Jesus Christ is first in everything! Make Him first in:

*Devotion each day

*Worship at church weekly

*Serving through your church

*Giving the first tenth of all God has given to you through Cross Church